OUR MUSIC and OUR MUSIC MC: Activities for Linux/Sugar (2009)
Art Hunkins
abhunkin@uncg.edu
http://www.arthunkins.com

Four realtime sonic environments for children, performable on XO computers or via
  Sugar-on-a-Stick (SoaS; Sugar 0.82 and higher). 
(For information about Sugar-on-a-Stick:
  http://wiki.sugarlabs.org/go/Sugar_on_a_Stick.)
Simple and advanced versions using either ASCII keyboard(s) or MIDI controller(s).


Of the four versions of both Our Music and Our Music MC, 1 and 2 are similar, as
are 3 and 4. The only significant difference is the control mechanism; 2 and 4 are
played solely on ASCII keyboard(s) (multiple keyboards; the native and additional
USB keyboards can be played simultaneously). Collaborative performance is
encouraged. Versions 3/4 are somewhat more involved than 1/2; their textures are
richer and they offer enhanced options.

Our Music MC differs from Our Music only in that the MC edition allows for
Multiple (MIDI) Controllers (again for collaborative purposes).

Versions 1 and 3 of both activities require a USB MIDI controller(s) with 8-11
rotary knobs and/or sliders. Optionally, version 3 is performable on a MIDI
controller(s) with 8-10 knobs/sliders *plus 10 MIDI notes* (these notes are an
option for selecting pitches/harmonics). The inexpensive Korg nanoKontrol is one
recommended controller (use Preset 4, with channel # set to 0. This preset is
limited to nine sliders.)

Only Our Music will work with Sugar 0.82 (native XO-1 computer). For Sugar 0.84
(SoaS Strawberry), the csound-python module must be installed in order to run
both activites. This is accomplished in the Terminal with these two lines:
su
yum install csound-python

Sugar 0.86 (SoaS Blueberry) and later run both activities "out of the box."

The 8+ knobs/sliders must have *contiguous* controller #'s, or all be continuous
controller 7 on channels 1-8(11) (channel "0" refers to this latter option.)
Please note with respect to the latter arrangement: in MyMusicMIDI, pan
(if actively controlled) is on channel 9; in OurMusicMIDI, *harmonics* are
assigned channel 9; pan, channel 10; and depth, channel 11 (these assignments are
fixed). On multiple MIDI devices, the various controller #'s may be distributed
among the devices in many different ways, but all must transmit on the same
channel. (With the "channel 0 option", all devices use controller 7 on channels
1-8[-11]. Note that when "MIDI notes" is selected to control harmonics with this
option, the "harmonics channel" is actually #9.)

Important: MIDI controllers must be attached AFTER boot, and BEFORE the
version is selected.

If you get audio glitching, open Sugar's Control Panel, and turn off Extreme
power management (under Power) or Wireless radio (under Network).

The font display in these activities can be resized smaller or larger by changing
the value of "resize" in csndsugui.py. "Resize" is located toward the beginning of
the file; the change can be made by any text editor. (Further instructions are
found in csndsugui.py.)

PERFORMANCE SUGGESTIONS:

These two activities are the final products of a project rooted in the spiritual
trilogy, ON THE SIXTH DAY: I, WE, and FAMILY. See:
http://www.arthunkins.com. The original idea was to create sound environments
that were meditative, slow-moving and minimal. Emphasis was placed on gradual
changes in tone color, texture, and space (both stereo space and depth [3-D]).

The built-in speakers of the XO-1, or any laptop/netbook, are completely
inadequate to this task; tonal nuance is largely lost, as is any spatial sense. In
addition, the low frequencies of options 3 and 4 are either absent or severely
attenuated. Even the least expensive set of stereo headphones is quite
satisfactory however. Otherwise, a decent stereo system with spaced speakers
is required. (Options 3 and 4 need good bass response.)


OUR MUSIC and OUR MUSIC MC may also be found on the web at:

Our Music -
git repository:
  git://git.sugarlabs.org/our-music/mainline.git
.xo bundle:
  activities.sugarlabs.org/en-US/sugar/addon/4226

Our Music MC -
git repository:
  git://git.sugarlabs.org/our-music-mc/mainline.git
.xo bundle:
  activities.sugarlabs.org/en-US/sugar/addon/4227